Page 113 of A Sky Full Of Stars

“I’m going home. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Stay.”

“What?”

“Stay.Please. We don’t have to do anything. I just want to hold you.”

My heart aches, but he’s not thinking clearly. “I can’t stay, Thomas. I shouldn’t even be here. My brother would flip.”

“It’s a bit late to care about your brother, isn’t it?Please.” His voice breaks as he sits up, and his sad expression makes it hard for me to resist him. But I’m the sober one. I have to say no. Otherwise we’ll both regret it in the morning.

“Thomas, you passed out. I had to get Nate to help you inside. I think it’s best if—”

“What do you mean, Nate?” Thomas’s eyes widen as he cuts me off and frantically scans the room. “We’re at the Ball House?”

“We are.”

“Fuck. Why would you bring me here!?”

What?His gaze locks on mine and the look of horror on his face has me cringing.Is he kidding me?

“Keep your voice down.” I dart forward, leaning in close so he can hear me whisper. “Youtold me to come here.”

“You need to leave.”

“What?”

“Please,Lainey.” Even in the low light, I can see his face pale as his eyes flash to the door. “I don’t care about what your brother thinks ofme, but he can’t find you here. Not now. It will change how he feels aboutyou.”

“Thomas.”

“Let’s talk to him. Tomorrow even. We can tell him everything. But not like this.”

The sheer panic in his eyes has my stomach sinking. It shouldn’t be like this. We shouldn’t care. But Thomas is right. Luke finding me in the Ball House isn’t the best way to handle the situation.

“Okay.”

Thomas visibly relaxes as he slowly releases a sigh. “Thank you. I’m sorry, it’s—”

“It’s fine. I get it.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” The panic returns until I nod.

“Sure,” I say, trying to hide my pain. “Call me when you wake.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Thomas

The hurt is obvious in Lainey’s tone, and the second she’s gone, I realize what I’ve done. Jumping out of bed, I try to chase after her, only to trip over my shoes on the floor. “Goddammit.”

My shoulder aches from where I fell into the wall, but that’s nothing compared to the pounding in my head.

No longer caring about Luke, I call out, hoping to stop Lainey before she leaves. “Lainey, wait.”

Sliding around the corner, into the hallway, I come to a screeching halt to find Lainey standing by the front door. She pockets her phone before folding her arms over her chest.

“I just booked an Uber. I thought you wanted me to leave?” she states plainly, her tone lacking the bite I thought was coming.

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